Plastic is one of the most pressing issues impacting sustainability nowadays, having a broad and complex impact on the environment and contributing to the changes the planet is experiencing in terms of weather patterns. The fact that plastics are made from fossil fuels in most cases creates a link between the material and the oil and gas industries, which are dealing with increasing scrutiny and more stringent regulations as a result of their massive quantities of greenhouse gas emissions. Plastic is, unfortunately, a very common type of marine litter, with several million tonnes entering these ecosystems every year.
The fact that it can take hundreds of years for plastic to disintegrate in natural conditions means that it can cause tremendous harm to wildlife, both aquatic and terrestrial, with many animals ingesting or becoming ensnared in debris. Human health doesn’t fare any better either, with the microplastics and chemicals deriving from plastic having negative effects on well-being that are not yet fully understood. Plastic production accounts for roughly 5% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, but the impact continues throughout the full lifetime of a plastic object.
It doesn’t help that the versatility and relatively low costs of plastic have made it the preferred choice for many different types of objects, including clothing, tea bags, many food cartons, wet wipes, nail polish, paints, and even certain toothpastes. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible for plastic to be managed more responsibly so that its effects are minimised. But achieving this will require changes along every step of the way, from manufacturing to disposal.
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Recycling is just the first step
When it comes to sustainability and adopting eco-friendly measures, most people focus almost exclusively on recycling. There’s no denying the fact that it is very important, as it allows perfectly good materials and fabrics to be reintegrated into new products, decreasing the amount of water and energy used in manufacturing, as well as eliminating the constant need for raw, virgin materials, which is depleting the environment of its resources. While an absolute must in any circular economy, recycling is not the only step, especially when it is used as an excuse to produce or consume much more than necessary.
It all starts from the way in which items are created. Using a process such as low pressure structural foam moulding can help tremendously by reducing the amount of energy needed during the moulding process. The procedure also requires less clamping force but creates robust products nonetheless. Since the amount of material that has to be used is typically known beforehand, waste remains minimal, with any resulting amount being used as filler in foam production. Creating strong objects that can be used for a long time is very important, especially as recycling doesn’t get even close to the majority of plastic items. Only around 10% of plastics are ever recycled, meaning that the majority end up in landfills or oceans.
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is a deceptive form of marketing that many corporations use in order to persuade customers that their products and services are good for the environment and made with eco-friendly practices in mind. Many do this as a means of boosting their reputations, with the practice becoming more common as shoppers have also shown their interest in green products. If things are to change, companies must be committed to making actual changes, even if they require modifications to their infrastructures or higher upfront costs.
Working with companies such as https://www.hsv-tmp.com/ can help as well by allowing business owners to come up with the best solutions for any plastic items or components.
The right measures
If you’re committed to making the best choices for the environment, you need to make sure that you’re aware of the measures adopted in your jurisdiction. In Edinburgh, the bottles, tubs, trays, and pots made from plastic that have been cleaned before are collected from kerbside, packaging recycling bins, and communal mixed recycling. Wrappers, toys, bags, and any other kind of plastic shouldn’t be disposed of in the bins. Shampoo, shower gel, and household cleaner bottles can be recycled, and you often don’t have to remove the labels unless they are sleeves, which are made from a different type of plastic. Make sure to remove the pump sprays before sending them to be recycled.
As always, trying to avoid plastics as much as possible in your daily life is even more beneficial. Everything you buy has an impact on the environment, and an old sustainable mantra dictates that the most sustainable product is the one you don’t buy. Not buying plastic items in the first place means less waste by default. In Edinburgh, there are several amazing refill shops that can be found on zero waste maps. All you have to do is bring your own bottles, jars, or any other kind of storage tub and refill them with anything from dried foods to toiletries and household cleaners. Some supermarkets are starting to introduce refills as well.
Many supermarkets also allow customers to recycle wrappers and plastic bags, with Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, and Co-op being part of the list. Household waste recycling centres can be found in Seafield, Sighthill, and Craigmillar and are the places you need to visit if you need to dispose of garden waste, different types of batteries including household, vehicle, and lithium ion ones, carpets, polystyrene, mattresses, fluorescent or energy-saving lightbulbs, textiles, cooking or engine oil, TVs and monitors, paint pots, fridges, and small electrical equipment.
The bottom line
To sum up, dealing with plastics can be quite complicated. However, they are so common in daily life and have so many applications, from the ubiquitous water bottles to clothing and furniture, that they must definitely be handled with care and attention. If the plastic isn’t disposed of correctly, it can cause a lot of damage to the environment, animals, and humans. Dealing with the material in a responsible way is everyone’s responsibility, meaning that both producers and customers have their part to play. Everyone must be ready to make a change so that everyone can enjoy a clean and safe future.
